A very happy LX9000 user here (with Flarm/AHRS/2nd seat display), with limited experience only in other people's 2 seaters of Clearnav and LX8000. As a previous LX7000 and Oudie user I found it easy to use, but starting from scratch the Clearnav is definitely easier. I much prefer the control system of the LX9000 using knobs and soft buttons to the Clearnav remote control (I know that not everyone agrees) Most things I do in flight such as zooming in and out, or changing between continuing on my task or going to somewhere else, perhaps my home airport, require many more steps in Clearnav. I like being able to choose my own setup, so for me the philosophy of greater flexibility works better than the Clearnav philosophy of simplicity. I like having my IGC files automatically on a full size SD card. I like the very tidy screen layouts available. I consider that the screen size is optimal - for me the LX8000 is too small for the amount of info it tries to display, let alone an LX8080, I would rather use an Oudie. While I would be happy to have the 7 inch and 8 inch displays now being offered I cannot imagine fitting them on a glider panel with all the other stuff I would still want, and 5.6 inches is big enough for my eyes. I find that the LX9000 is an integrated device which does everything well, and with no disadvantages if you are prepared to do a bit of work on the setup.

The LXNavigation Zeus seems to do all the same things as the LX9000 but is a much less well proven product.

In an expensive new glider it may be worth investing in these high end systems, and I expect you would be happy with either Clearnav or LX9000. However, I find it difficult to justify the price difference from eg a v7/Oudie combination (or for even less money XC Soar running on a cheap device) with the logger choice depending how you want to get your Flarm data.

Good luck choosing, and do report back.

Mark Burton, London Gliding Club, UK


On Thursday, 19 December 2013 18:06:27 UTC, wrote:
Both systems are very good, but only LXNAV allows you to customize *everything* as you wish. Whether its on their desktop tool for upload or directly on the hardware itself, its pretty easy and quick to do.



Sure, Clearnav allows you to turn on/off info boxes, but if you want to see those boxes in a different spot, your stuck with the placement they've already chosen for you.



Maybe most users dont care, but for the amount of money in these systems the ability to customize what you see should be standard. Its just a bunch of 1's and 0's, let me put 'em where I want 'em (my opinion of course)



Support from LXNAV and their dealers is top notch too!



Britton

(prior Clearnav user, current LX9000 owner)